A Look at Human Resources Management Degree Program

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Human resources (HR) is truly an important part of any business, large or small. Accounting and engineering have always been a part of business strategy, but with federal laws and regulations mounting by the day, having knowledgeable personnel in the HR department is a rising priority. It is no longer just the “extra secretary” to process the paperwork. The position has become highly professional and is often consulted when decisions are made as to staff changes. Many companies require HR to approve both the hiring and dismissal of employees.

What is Human Resource Management?

There are currently over 98,000 individuals working in HR management, and they make an annual wage of $111,180, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Human Resource Management, or HRM, is a term used to describe a set of occupational duties aimed at creating the most effective management for an organization’s employees, often referred to as its human resources or human capital. HRM professionals are charged with overseeing the business of managing people of an organization in areas that include compensation, benefits, training and development, staffing, strategic HR management and other functions. HR professionals structure staffing programs to recruit and retain the best available employees by making the company competitive in terms of its attractiveness to potential candidates.

This is done in the belief that they will choose to accept a position with and remain working for an employer, lessening the training costs of turnover. In today’s competitive environment, human capital management is increasingly important to remain viable in the marketplace, whether that be local or global. HR often plays a pivotal role in the world of business—because people are truly the only thing that differentiates one business from another. Any organization may replicate a process, using the same materials and structures of other successful organizations, but it is only the talent of an organization that makes it unique and distinguishes it from all its competitors.

Human Resource Management

To understand how important this aspect of business has become, you need to look at the increasing number of colleges offering HR degrees on both master’s and bachelor’s levels. For those who have similar, but not specific HR degrees, there are also certificate programs to add to your degree.

The subjects you would study in route to your Human Resources Management degree might include human resource technology, training program design, employment law, and organizational development. The law classes will be the ones most crammed with information. “Do unto others” is a good rule of thumb, but the government often requires documentation for all “good” acts.

The choice of brick and mortar schooling or online classes depends on where you are in life. Just approaching college or having yet to complete your bachelor’s, you might consider the traditional route. In the midst of a career change, online would be an enticing choice for someone with limited finances or time. The master’s degree program, if available in your area, is an exceptional choice for someone looking for employment by a major corporation.

No matter what path you take, human resource management is a growing career area. All colleges offer catalogs that outline the programs they offer. As much as possible, it is a smart move to study each course and talk with as many in business as possible to help focus your decision. It’s easier to change career direction in the beginning. The more time and research you put in early will pay dividends later.